Zeekoevlei Rehabilitation: One of 15 Neighbourhood Development Projects

The City's Mayoral Committee has approved a business plan to rehabilitate Zeekoevlei and to manage its urban drainage system at an estimated cost of some R150 million, provided that the City can secure external funding for the project.

The project, which will be implemented over a number years, is aimed at drastically reducing the quantity of pollutants entering the system at various points, as well as dredging the existing sediments in the vlei.

"Ultimately the riverine systems and the vlei, which form part of the False Bay Ecology Park, must become environmentally sustainable and socially enjoyable areas. The park could potentially generate some R7 million per annum in tourist-related income once Zeekoevlei is rehabilitated," says Cllr Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Environment.

This project is one of 15 projects identified by the City of Cape Town for its R230 million application for a Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant (NDPG) from the National Treasury.

The grant was announced during the 2005 National Budget and some R2,5bn will be disbursed to municipalities for approved projects over the next three years.

Once Cape Town's application is approved, R61,5 million will be allocated for the Zeekoevlei project. Other external sources of income which have been identified are the Table Mountain Fund and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which recently hold its third assembly meeting in Cape Town.

Another R40 million is earmarked for the Mitchells Plain public transport interchange and CBD upgrade, and another R29 million for the Lentegeur public transport interchange.

According to Cllr Nieuwoudt, the NDPG was established to deliver community facilities, help build business networks and promote black SMME development by creating conditions for sustainable private sector investment in marginalised areas.

"Until recently, investments in housing estates and townships have largely focused on providing houses and tend to exclude the provision of amenities which can act as economic catalysts.

"The investment of NDPG funds will lead to the enhancement of the collateral value of property throughout identified neighbourhoods. It will create vibrant public and economic spaces and help dignify spaces and communities," she says.

Other key projects include the Proudly Manenberg community upliftment project, Wolfgat Environmental Education Centre, the planning, provision and construction of foot ways, cycle ways and drainage systems to promote non-motorised transport, the dignified places programme, the establishment of a network of liquid petroleum (LP) gas dealerships, as well as the redevelopment of the Athlone power station.

"We aim to deliver community facilities and thus contribute to the creation of integrated, mixed-use neighbourhoods. This will promote private sector investment, help build business networks and promote black SMME development.

"These 15 projects form part of the first submission from the City of Cape Town and we hope to identify more projects for consideration twice a year," says Cllr Nieuwoudt.

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Issued by:
Jan Kruger
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 400 1292
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media queries:
Cllr Marian Niewoudt
Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Environment
Tel: 021 400 1307

Technical queries:
Alastair Graham (Ndp Grant)
Directorate: Urban Renewal
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 360 1108

Martin Thompson
Directorate: Roads & Stormwater
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 710 8128